IGTV for Real Estate: How To Show Off Your Real Estate Videos on Instagram
What is Instagram IGTV and how real estate agents can use it to expand their exposure and promote their business
Instagram’s IGTV, or simply IGTV for real estate, is one of the most underrated tools agents can use to build their online presence, expand their audience, and increase their exposure. Many agents are already using Instagram to post videos but the problem with videos in normal posts is that they are limited. You cannot post videos longer than one minute unless you use some tricks to cut them into different slides. This is not a default feature of Instagram and causes video interruption between slides.
IGTV aims at making it easier to share longer videos which, unlike video posts, can be viewed in Fullscreen. Since real estate agents are advised to focus on videos as their main avenue of content marketing, IGTV seems like a good bet to get started on Instagram. In this post will explore different features of IGTV and how agents can make the most out of it for their own advantage.
What Is Instagram IGTV
IGTV can be thought of as Instagram’s version of YouTube. It provides agents with a place to share longer videos that are playable in full-screen mode. Since other social media platforms rely on YouTube for videos, Instagram, and its parent platform Facebook, are looking to host their own video sharing platform to capture some of YouTube’s audience.
Facebook has had its video sharing feature for quite a long time now, but Instagram, originally designed to share images, had to add video features. These allowed up to one minute but that did not meet the needs of its users. Many needed to share longer videos. As a result, Instagram released IGTV which is supported on Instagram and also has its own standalone app.
There have been many changes made to IGTV since its release and now the platform appeals to more users. In its early days, videos were only available in portrait mode. This basically meant you could not watch videos as you see them on your TV. Videos were meant to be seen as you normally hold your phone. This caused many issues and in the beginning, many channels had to rotate their videos to use all the space available and then use onscreen instructions asking the viewer to rotate their phone for the best experience. Such issues are now fixed, and the app supports both portrait and landscape videos.
Why Agents Should Use IGTV For Real Estate
Social media videos create almost 12 times more engagement than images and text. Regardless of the platform, anything that provides a video feature on social media and allows sharing should be used by businesses. Real estate is no exception. In fact, real estate needs videos even more due to its visual nature.
Different social media offer video features and each have their own advantages. Instagram which is now one of the most popular social networking platforms lacks some features in its normal video posts such as:
- 1-minute video limit
- No option to watch videos in full screen
- Lacks an option to play and pause the video
- No option to forward or rewind videos
Instagram took notice and decided to offer all these features in a new section. Now you can have IGTV videos that are 15 minutes long when uploading from a mobile device (650MB max) and 60 minutes long when uploading from the web (3.6GB max).
This is a great feature for real estate agents. In the past, you would have to post longer videos on YouTube and keep Instagram for short one-minute ones. Now agents can keep their audience and the corresponding engagement on Instagram if need be.
Real Estate Is All About Videos
You can use images to showcase a property and let the homebuyers get a basic idea of how the property looks. But to make a better impression and recreate a virtual experience on how the property looks in real life, videos have more to offer. Nothing can show a property’s interior, exterior, and even its neighborhood better than a video. Now that the global Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to stay home and go out less, videos can be a very useful option to have an initial idea of the property and save the actual visit for the final options.
Covid-19 and Real Estate
We are currently in a time where we are advised to stay home, and no one knows for sure how long this will go on. People prefer to stay home and exercise caution. This has caused a huge interest to things online. From shopping for groceries to buying homes. Images alone will not be able to help homebuyers check out different homes in their neighborhood. Longer videos like virtual open houses can help agents and homebuyers alike.
How to Use IGTV for Real Estate
To post an IGTV video you can use mobile devices or the web version of the platform.
IGTV On Web
In order to post IGTV videos from the web and enjoy longer videos go to Instagram.com and login into your account. Then go to your profile and click on IGTV tab below your bio. Then click Upload.
On the next page, you can drag and drop your video to the screen to start the uploading process. After the upload, you can set the cover image and also the details and description.
Make sure you use a descriptive title and also explain the purpose of the video in the description. The cover, title, and description are the first thing your audience will see, and it makes sense to use attractive and interesting elements for them.
IGTV on Mobile Devices
Instagram has released a standalone app for IGTV with the same name. you have the option to release IGTV videos on both Instagram and IGTV apps.
On IGTV which can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store or Google Play click on the + on the top right section of the screen.
On the next screen, you can choose to record a new video or upload an existing video from your device.
Once you are done recording or uploading the video you need to choose a cover photo. Make sure you choose a frame that shows what the video is about and is not blurry. As an alternative, you can choose an image from your photos on your phone as the cover.
Now you can add details to the video. Remember on mobile devices you are limited to 15-minute videos with a maximum size of 650MB.
As an extra feature, you can go to the Advanced Settings and add Auto-generated captions.
You can use the almost same process to upload IGTV videos on Instagram App. Go to your profile on the Instagram app and click on the + button on the top left corner and choose IGTV Video.
IGTV for Real Estate Tips
In order to make the most out of IGTV video here are some tips to bear in mind:
Do Not Ignore Covers
Instagram is a visual platform where users scroll up their news feed. Users will choose to watch videos whose cover images are interesting. If you ignore cover photos for IGTV, the platform will do the job for you and choose a random frame. Pick a frame that attractively represents the content.
Use High Quality Videos
IGTV videos can be a powerful asset for real estate agents. However, to enjoy the full benefits of this feature, agents need to make sure they upload high-quality and professionally produced videos. The purpose of sharing IGTV videos is to create value and show your expertise. Poor videos will not do either.
IGTV for Real Estate Ideas
IGTV is a great place to promote real estate. Here a few ideas to use IGTV for real estate and make your presence stronger on Instagram.
Listing Videos
Before IGTV real estate agents had to use the basic video posts limited to one-minute to showcase their listings. Listing videos now can be longer and viewed in full screen. However, make sure that you use high-quality videos to promote listings that are professionally produced.
Educational Videos
Another cool idea for IGTV for real estate is to share informative and educational videos. Think of FAQs, tips and tricks, etc. Such videos offer great value for your audience as they address their questions, challenges, and concerns. The result is that agents can introduce themselves as an expert in their neighborhood who does not mind helping people in the area.
Neighborhood Guides
Apart from the properties themselves, the neighborhoods they occupy are of great importance to home buyers. What the neighborhood has to offer, local businesses, facilities, and amenities are very important factors affecting homebuyers’ decisions. The more you show your knowledge and familiarity with the neighborhood, the more you get the audience to put their trust in you.
Market Updates
Many people who are not going to buy or sell a home still follow the market. Trends in the market influence people and can make them think about selling or buying a property. In addition, market update videos further prove your expertise.
Branding
Another use of social media is promoting brands. Various videos including agent introduction videos, testimonials, and talking directly to your audience to elaborate on how you address your client’s needs.
Live Videos
After your Instagram live video ends, you can share a replay of it to IGTV. To do so, touch Share to IGTV at the bottom of the screen. This way those who do not manage to watch the live video can watch it later at a convenient time.
roomvu Social Media Automation
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IGTV for Real Estate: Final Words
Social media is essential for real estate and Instagram’s IGTV provides a convenient way for agents to promote their videos without having to switch platforms. There are many different ways to use IGTV for real estate but what matters most is to use high-quality videos that create value and address the concerns and questions of homebuyers and home sellers.
